Johnstown Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Law Violations
| U.S. Attorney’s Office October 22, 2009 |
United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, October 22, 2009, that Bryant Antonio Grayson Ward, a resident of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court in Johnstown to violating various federal narcotics laws.
Ward, age 21, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., advised the court that from January 18, 2009, to March 27, 2009, Ward and a co-defendant conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.” In addition, on January 26, 2009, Ward and a co-defendant distributed five grams or more of cocaine base.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for February 25, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 80 years in prison, a fine of $4,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Johnstown Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation/Laurel Highlands Resident Agency conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ward.